PROFILE REPORT Tenure Track position Optimization for engineering systems
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG) Profile report: Optimization for engineering systems (Optimalisatie voor technische systemen) Discipline: Optimization / Industrial Engineering / Operations Research / Management Science in Engineering Level: Assistant Professor (tenure track) Fte: full time (1.0) 1. Scientific discipline Optimization for engineering systems focuses on the design and analysis of new algorithms and their implementation in engineering practices. A vital step is the formulation of models that are both tractable and representative of real engineering applications. Areas of emphasis are nonlinear, stochastic and discrete optimization, and game theory often in the context of supply chains, traffic systems, manufacturing facilities, and energy networks. Typical research activities deal with open problems on how to perform optimization in large-scale and network settings. 2. Vacancy This position is opened by the board of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (letter with reference JPT/gl/00661). The candidate will be embedded in the SMS-Cyberphysical Systems group within the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG) of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) of the University of Groningen (UG). 3. Selection Committee Prof. J.M.A. Scherpen (Discrete Technology and Production Automation (DTPA), Director ENTEG, Chair) Prof. C. De Persis (Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS-CPS), ENTEG) Prof. M. Cao (Discrete Technology and Production Automation, ENTEG) Prof. R. de Boucherie (Utwente, to be confirmed) Prof. A.J. van der Schaft (Systems, Control and Applied Analysis group, JBI) Prof. Petra Rudolf (director Graduate School of Science and Engineering) Student member. (to be announded) Advisors: Dr. G.H. Jonker (Head of IEM design group and IEM Bachelor s programme director) Prof. B. Jayawardhana (DTPA, ENTEG) H.IJ. Haagsma (HR advice) 4. Research area The successful candidate is expected to conduct research in the areas of optimization for engineering systems. The theoretical side of the optimization might involve convex optimization, game theory, cone programming, stochastic optimization or non-smooth optimization while the application domains include, but are not limited to, managing traffic and logistic systems, vehicle routing and task assignment, supply chain management, decision-support for manufacturing systems, and automation of robotic systems. Other areas, e.g. game theory, learning and data mining, financial engineering and intelligent systems, might be considered as well in cases of exceptional applicants. It is particularly encouraged that the applicant s research areas have clear
and close connection with various engineering data or processes in the context of smart cities, modern transportation, flow networks, energy systems, communication and computer networks, cyber-physical networks and manufacturing & service. 5. Research group and Institute The research conducted at the Engineering and Technology institute Groningen (ENTEG) is multidisciplinary and covers a broad area of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology and information technology. Though multidisciplinary the coherence is evident when considering the common design and development approach to the creation and manufacture of innovative products and production strategies. ENTEG at the FSE has a strong track record of research in Systems and Control. This position will expand the current expertise to cover the area of operational research for engineering systems. The candidate will be embedded in the SMS-Cyberphysical Systems group where research in cyber-physical systems, dynamical networks, nonlinear systems, hybrid and switched control is conducted, with applications ranging from power networks, to data centers, water and heat networks, as well as adaptive optics. Strong connections with the DTPA-Systems and Control Engineering group are foreseen. The current leading research in these groups focuses on complex dynamical systems, possibly distributed over large-scale networks, combining physical components with cyber elements modeling computational and communication devices. The largescale nature and complexity of these systems requires advanced analytical tools for optimal decisions and control. This tenure track position strengthens the existing expertise at UG towards this research direction. Another related research group corresponding to the more Mechanical Engineering oriented part of ENTEG is Advanced Production Engineering (tribology and surface engineering, high-power laser processing, 3D printing). Collaboration within SMS-Cyberphysical Systems, DTPA-Systems and Control Engineering and APE for teaching and research projects is foreseen. The SMS- Cyberphysical Systems group promotes interdisciplinary research in collaboration with other ENTEG groups. 6. Local and national position. The research related to this vacancy is supposed to take a prominent role in the recently established cross-disciplinary research theme on Data Science and Systems Complexity (DSSC) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. This involves scholars from diverse disciplines such as mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, systems and control, engineering, and astronomy. In addition, the research activities in Systems and Control at UG are part of the Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control, which fosters collaboration among its members both at ENTEG and at the Johann Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (JBI). At the national level, systems and control research activities are part of the Dutch Institute of Systems and Control (DISC). For this tenure track position, a role in the National Network on the Mathematics for Operations Research (LNMB) or other relevant national networks is considered to be valuable. In addition, research collaboration with the Operations group of the Faculty of Economics and Business with the University of Groningen is foreseen. 7. Expected contribution to research The successful candidate is expected to consolidate his/her own research line of high quality, so that within five years the candidate has sufficient visibility and an outstanding reputation in the international research field. It is very important that the research leads to publications in top-tier scientific journals. Furthermore, in second instance, publications at well-known, high quality, scientific conferences are important. An essential part of the research activities comprises the supervision of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers. The candidate is also expected to be successful in obtaining external funding for the research and to contribute to the development of the research group.
8. Expected contribution to teaching The candidate is expected to teach and develop courses in the education program of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) in the area of optimization, develop and supervise B.Sc. and M.Sc. thesis projects which fall in the area of optimization. In collaboration with the group permanent staff the candidate initiates the development of new courses and thesis subjects, and plays an active role in the development of the educational program of IEM. 9. Expected contribution to the organization The candidate is expected to have an active interest and to provide a positive contribution to the management and organizational tasks of the institute. At the level of the FSE, the candidate will contribute to the organization of the faculty, for example by participating in working groups and committees, in the fields of teaching, research and management. The candidate will participate in relevant national and international organizations. Vacancy Tenure Track position in Optimization for engineering systems Organisation Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage currently more than 30,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and the top 100 universities in the world (see our ranking: http://www.rug.nl/about-us/where-do-westand/rankings, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge. Job description The successful candidate is expected to develop research in areas optimization for engineering systems. The theoretical side of the optimization might involve convex optimization, game theory, cone programming, stochastic optimization or non-smooth optimization while the application domains include, but are not limited to, managing traffic and logistic systems, vehicle routing and task assignment, supply chain management, optimizing energy systems, decision-support for manufacturing systems, and automation of robotic systems. Other areas, e.g. learning and data mining, financial engineering and intelligent systems, might be considered as well in cases of exceptional applicants. It is particularly encouraged that the applicant s research areas have clear and close connection with various engineering data or processes in the context of smart cities, modern transportation, flow networks, energy systems, communication and computer networks, cyber-physical networks and manufacturing & Service. The candidate will be embedded in the SMS-Cyberphysical System group in which research in cyberphysical systems, dynamical networks, nonlinear systems, hybrid and switched control is conducted, with applications ranging from smart grids, to data centers, water and heat networks, as well as adaptive optics. Qualifications Candidates have the following qualifications: a Ph.D. degree in relevant areas such as optimization, operations research, industrial engineering, management science, systems and control, and decision science; by the time the candidate is hired for the position, preferably two or more years of experience in a post-doctoral capacity abroad;
at least two years of experience at another educational institution than the University of Groningen excellent research qualities, as evidenced by a publication record in international peerreviewed journals and renowned conferences, and a relevant international network; research, teaching and organizational experience appropriate to career stage; a working knowledge of the English language and willingness to learn Dutch within a time frame of two years evidence of experience in proposal writing for or successful acquisition of external funding appropriate to the career stage; Candidates are: team players with good communications skills; willing to fulfill the requirements for the University Teaching Qualification; willing to learn the Dutch language. The University of Groningen is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Conditions of employment The appointment will be initially for a maximum of 7 years at the level of tenure track assistant professor with a gross monthly salary dependent on qualifications and work experience from 3,475 up to a maximum of 5,405 (CAO-NU salary scales 11 or 12) gross per month for a full-time position. After 5 years there will be an assessment of performance based on established criteria. If the outcome of the assessment is positive, the assistant professor will be promoted to associate professor with tenure. There will be another assessment at the end of a further 4-7 -year period for the promotion to full professor. In addition to the primary salary the University offers 8% holiday allowance and an end-ofyear bonus of 8,3%. The University of Groningen provides career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen. The University of Groningen has adopted an active policy to increase the number of female scientists across all disciplines of the university. Therefore, female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Applications Interested candidates are invited to submit a complete application including: A letter of motivation; A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications;
A list of five self selected best papers ; A statement about teaching goals and experience and a description of scientific interest and plans; The names of three references complete with title and contact information. You may apply for this position until via the application form (click on Apply below on this advertisement on the University website). Information Contact information: Prof. C. De Persis, c.de.persis@rug.nl or Prof. M. Cao, m.cao@rug.nl (please do not use for applications) Structure report: http://www.rug.nl/fse/organization/vacatures/vacatures/structuurrapporten/?lang=en For information about the tenure track career path: Career Paths in Science 3 ( Bèta s in Banen 3 ): https://www.rug.nl/fse/organization/vacatures/vacatures/careerpaths-in-science-edition-3 For more information about the research group and institute: http://www.rug.nl/research/sms, http://www.rug.nl/research/enteg